Photo: PHM Racing
FIA Formula 3 Championship race-winner Taylor Barnard is stepping up to Formula 2 with PHM Racing, filling the final slot on the 2024 grid.
Barnard has been part of the PHM Academy since 2022, when he was ADAC Formula 4 runner-up. He continued with the team in Formula Regional Middle East in 2023, again claiming the runner-up spot behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The 19-year-old Briton was then loaned to Jenzer Motorsport last year for his season in F3, and he came 10th in the standings. After a difficult start to the campaign, he came on strongly in the second half, with the highlight being a memorable wet-weather victory in the Spa-Francorchamps feature race.
He then returned to FRME and PHM Racing last month, and currently sits second in the championship with three wins from nine starts.
Barnard, who was also an Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award finalist in 2023, had been expected to rejoin PHM for a shot at the FIA F3 Championship title in 2024, before a late change of plans led to him – just like Antonelli – moving up to F2.
A “delighted” Barnard commented on his promotion as “another step up the ladder towards my dream and of course I wish to be more prepared, but I will do everything in my power and more to perform”.
PHM’s sporting director Roland Rehfeld added: “We are more than pleased and happy to have Taylor onboard. Being the most successful PHM Academy driver, it is the logical step to evaluate Taylor as best promising option to be as successful as possible. He deserves the chance and until now, he fulfilled our expectations through all classes with pure dedication, will, natural talent and speed and increasing technical precision.
“All these efforts brought up good results, meaning in the last three FIA F3 rounds of 2023 he was the most successful driver by points.”
Barnard will be team-mate to fellow rookie Joshua Duerksen, as PHM looks to improve on a points-free 2023 in F2. Having co-operated with Charouz Racing System for its maiden season in the championship last year, the team will now operate its F2 entry from its own German base.
The 2023 F2 line up had already been chosen by by Charouz before PHM took over the team, whereas this time it had the freedom to select its drivers.
“We are aware that we are facing the most competitive grid below Formula 1,” said Rehfeld. “The team is highly excited to have these two extremely motivated F2 rookies in the field and I am expecting an increasing performance throughout the season and some positive surprising results. I can’t wait to start the season with our promising driver line-up.”
Barnard will act as McLaren’s reserve and development driver in Formula E this year alongside his racing commitments.